tessa_talks_books's reviews
1185 reviews

The Christmas Inn by Pamela M. Kelley: A heartwarming holiday read that earns 4 Stars for its engaging characters and festive setting.

One unique aspect I particularly enjoyed was the use of AI in the storyline. At the beginning of the book, Riley, the main character, loses her job because the company will rely more on AI.  This is such a new topic that I inwardly applauded its use.

I didn’t give it five stars because of the overwriting.  Though the last quarter wasn’t plagued as much by it, the first three quarters would have read much easier with fewer unnecessary details.

5 Things to Know Before You Pick Up Deadbeat by Adam Hamdy 

1️⃣ A Flawed Yet Relatable Hero: Meet Peyton Collard, a once-honorable veteran turned hitman after hitting rock bottom. His journey is raw, gripping, and heartbreakingly human. 

2️⃣ Themes of Redemption: Beyond the action, this novel dives deep into morality, desperation, and the lengths one will go for family. 

3️⃣ A Dark, Twisty Plot: Anonymous patrons. Evil targets. Big payouts. Peyton’s hitman career quickly spirals into a dangerous hunt for truth. 

4️⃣ Non-Stop Action: High stakes, shocking twists, and intense confrontations until the final page. 

5️⃣ A Must-Read for Thriller Fans: If you love a literary read, morally complex characters and emotional tension, Deadbeat won’t disappoint! 

📖 Available December 3, 2024—perfect for your winter TBR 

 

Why Not Five Stars: 

Though I loved how Peyton (the main character and narrator) would talk to the reader, even fictional supposed readers, being in his head got tiresome.  He constantly beat himself up and rationalized with the same thoughts over and over again.  Though literarily speaking, I could defend this technique as it serves a purpose; as a casual reader, it detracts from the enjoyment of the thriller aspects of the novel and slows down the pace - even becoming, dare I say it - boring at times.  But if you love books with a more literary style, then you will find this one is a gem with lots to be discovered: notable imagery, a katabasis, and moral ambiguity that’s perfect for pondering and discussion. 

Can't Help Falling in Love by Sophie Sullivan: 4 Stars

Five Reasons to Read Can't Help Falling in Love:

1. Fake Dating Trope—I personally love the fake dating trope. It's a lot of fun and often involves laugh-out-loud moments, which this book does and does well.

2. Poignant Plot Threads— Nothing makes RomComs better than a thread of a more poignant story threaded through it. In this story, Lexi and her mom are dealing with grief - debilitating, life-altering grief. Witnessing their growth as they slowly worked through their loss gave me all the feels.

3. Relatable FMC - Lexi, the main character, is a hardworking individual who strives to keep her and her mom afloat. Despite her admirable work ethic, she grapples with self-confidence and overall self-worth. While this aspect of her character may not always be enjoyable, it certainly makes her more relatable to readers, adding a personal touch to the story.

4. A Swoon-worthy MMC— Will, the male lead, is a character that will make your heart flutter. Handsome, rich, and not afraid to help Lexi and her mother work through their emotional challenges, he is the epitome of a swoon-worthy love interest.

5. Perfect Fall Coziness—The story is sweet and full of all the feels that create a sense of inner warmth and peace, making it the ideal read for a cozy fall evening.

Why Not Five Stars:
Though I love many aspects of Sophie Sullivan's Can't Help Falling in Love, the pacing caused me trouble at different points in the story. While the characters and plot were engaging, there were moments where the narrative felt either rushed or dragged, disrupting the overall flow. Despite this, the novel's charm and heartwarming elements still make it enjoyable.

 Nora Roberts has once again proven her mastery in storytelling with The Mirror, a captivating blend of romance, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural. The way she seamlessly weaves these elements together will keep you intrigued and turning the pages, eager to uncover the next twist in the plot.

I loved The Mirror because it had so much to sink my teeth into. The rich background on the ghosts provided a fascinating layer of mystery, while the new romance added a heartwarming touch. Adding a new pet brought a delightful charm to the story, and the party scene was spectacular. Nora Roberts has a way of creating worlds and characters that feel real and relatable, and The Mirror is no exception. It's a book I couldn't put down, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.

 

 

The central murder mystery involving Lila's best friend is not just a hook but a well-crafted narrative thread that builds suspense throughout the novel. Each clue and revelation keeps you on the edge of your seat, eager to uncover the truth. Exploring the delicate dynamics between Lila, her best friend, and her best friend's girlfriend is a key aspect of the story. It adds complexity and depth, as it's not just about the murder mystery but also about personal relationships and how they evolve in the face of adversity.

While I enjoyed Guilt and Ginataan, the pacing was sometimes uneven, with certain sections feeling rushed while others were more leisurely. Additionally, some secondary characters could have been more developed. However, these minor issues didn't significantly detract from my enjoyment of the book.

Series: Jack Reacher #29

One-word review:  Complex

Emojis: 🤔🫣🤐

Rating: 4 🌟s

My Top-Five-style Review:

5. Consistent with the show: "In Too Deep" is a seamless extension of the Jack Reacher series, mirroring the tone and style of the Prime show. For show fans, the book will be a comforting return to the familiar world of Reacher.

4. Pace and Readability: The novel is a heart-pounding, rapid read, with action sequences that grip you from the first page to the last. Its readability and breakneck pace make it a book you'll struggle to put down.

3. Suspense and Action: True to Reacher's roots, the book is a rollercoaster of suspense and action. It's a thrilling ride with never a dull moment, and the tension skillfully builds, keeping you engaged throughout the story.

2. Complex Mystery: The story's central mystery is a labyrinth of intrigue and deception. When you think you've untangled the web, another twist sends you spiraling. It's a puzzle that keeps you guessing until the very last page.

1. Engaging Characters: Lee Child and Andrew Child have done a great job maintaining the depth and complexity of Jack Reacher's character. His interactions and the challenges he faces feel authentic and engaging.

 

One-word review:  Inventive
Emojis: 🧐🫢😂
Rating: 5 🌟s

My Top-Five-style Review:

5. The loving orange-tabby cat - Lord Thomas Cromwell - who may or may not be possessed by the ghost of the actual Thomas Cromwell.  Cats have my heart, especially orange tabbies, so this little cat with a big name stole the show for me at times. Also, the name 'Thomas Cromwell' is a nod to history and adds an intriguing layer to the story.

4. The setting is perfect for the story: a sleepy town in Upstate NY with a diner and a sassy librarian. A place where tea and coffee breaks are frequent, and they are quick to make a newcomer feel welcome.

3. The nod to fictional cozy detectives is a treat. It lends itself to immediate buy-in from the reader, as do the other instances where the story shows self-awareness.

2. The story is a delightful blend of humor and intelligence that I thoroughly enjoyed. The witty banter between the characters had me laughing out loud more than once, adding a light-hearted touch to the narrative.

1. What I loved most about this story was how it surprised me by being fun and chilling simultaneously.  I got goosebumps more than once when the demons came to play. Usually, cozies can be too… well, cozy for me. I want a little more action. And the paranormal aspects of this story, including the unique abilities of the characters and the eerie encounters with demons, kept me on my toes and engaged throughout.

One-word review:  Creepy

Emojis: 🤔🫢😳

Rating: 4 🌟s

Comp Titles:

Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow

My Top-Five-style Review:

5. The inclusion of character sessions, a unique narrative device, was a brilliant move. It fuels the story and gives the reader a deep insight into the killer's mind and motivation, making you feel more connected to the plot.

4. The back story, complex and fascinating, though sometimes wordy, is a puzzle that keeps the reader intellectually stimulated. The balance of exposition to dialogue, while leaning heavily on the exposition side, is paramount in determining who the killer is.

3. I was not a fan of the real-world political commentary. However, I found the stereotyping by political parties fascinating, although it could be seen as misleading. The author's portrayal of political parties may not align with all readers' views, and this could be a potential drawback for some.

2. There are lots of twists and turns and excellent red herrings that keep you guessing, and I found them captivating and entertaining throughout the story.

1.That ending!!!! I can't say anything about it, but it was so creepy, and I loved that!

 

One-word review:  Complex

Emojis: 🥺🤔💔🥰

Series: The Lost Queen, book 3 

Rating:  4.5 🌟s

My Top-Five-style Review:

5. The world-building is a perfect blend of relatability and uniqueness. The creativity of the different magic systems, their symbolic representations, and their integration with the political systems make the story easy to grasp and yet intriguing enough to keep you engaged.

4. The characters are developed very well. They are stereotypical heroes and villains—except for Wren, who is so conflicted and complex that I enjoyed every moment with her.

3. The second-chance romance between Elodie and Roland just grabbed my heart and held on to it. I loved their story and how it developed in this trilogy. I wish I had felt the same about Wren and Finn's romance. They are the main characters, so I thought I should care about their story as much or more, but somehow I just didn't.

2. The ending is not just good, it's brilliant - a masterpiece of storytelling. I won't spoil it, but it's a perfect conclusion that will leave you wanting more.

1. What I loved the most was the story's progression from book 1 to book 3.  It started off simple, but as the complexities grew, it developed into a highly intricate story that twisted and turned, captivating and enthralling me with every page.

 

My Top-Five-style Review:

5. Maya's belief that she was cursed became frustrating as the story progressed, especially since her behavior lacked common sense. Because of this, the story kept me at arm's length. Maya wasn't cursed as much as annoyingly naive. 

4. The inclusion of infidelity in this story was a significant disappointment for me. Both characters showed a lack of respect for the female main character's engagement, which was frustrating. This element felt entirely out of character, especially for two characters who seemed to be deeply committed to their religion and beliefs. It felt like a betrayal on multiple levels.

3. This book cleverly employs a few fantastic tropes: fake dating, road trip/travel mishaps, and forced proximity. These elements added a delightful layer of fun and excitement to the story, keeping me thoroughly entertained.

2. The setting of this story is truly one-of-a-kind—Switzerland and Pakistan. The vivid descriptions of these places took me on a delightful journey, making me feel like I was right there. It's a testament to the author's skill in painting a vivid picture of these unique locales.

1. I truly savored this book. It's a charming, heartwarming romance that beautifully showcases cultural diversity. The author's skillful storytelling and insightful cultural explanations made it a truly enlightening read. I always find joy in exploring cultures different from my own, and this book was a delightful journey in that regard.